Traumatized ducks?

[Newduckowner56]

I had 4 ducks. I got 2-3 eggs per day. About 3 weeks ago a coon got in and killed one of my ducks. The next day another one was killed. the third day, we got the coon. Anyway the two remaining ducks would not go in their barn until just this last week and they are not laying eggs. Is it possible that they would stop due to being traumatized? If not, what should I do. My husband wants to take them to the "spa" but I do not. they also used to go around as a group in the yard and now they will not leave the pen. I know one of the ducks killed was the "leader" duck so, since I am new to ducks (know lots about horses, cats and dogs) I could use a little advice as to what to do. I plan to get more ducklings but do I need to get them for the other ones to go back to their "normal" egg laying and way of doing things. We really do enjoy watching them when they are in the yard and when I had all of them, I would go out at 5-5:30 to feed and as soon as they saw me they would head back to the barn for the night because they were locked in the barn and pen at night.

 

[DUCKOBSESSED]

It will take awhile. when a coon got some of mine the rest didn't lay for over a month.

 

[Newduckowner56]

I see you have black swedish, rouens, cayugas and buffs. I was thinking of getting some of those when I replenish. How are they? And how are their egg productions? Thank you for the info by the way. I will tell my husband so he won't get so ansi.

 

[DUCKOBSESSED]

I have 1 Cayuga, 1 Blk Swedish, 2 Rouens, 2 Pekins and 1 golden hybrid that are laying age. I get around 5-6 eggs a day. They are slowing down to 3-4 now. For temperament the black Swedish is better then Cayuga and buff. Rouen hens are skittish but the male is very sweet. IMHO

 

[Newduckowner56]

Thank you!

 

[Nandinaberry]

I have had 4 Cayugas, which free range in our yard/garden. A desperate mother raccoon got one one them in broad daylight one morning and the surviving ducks hovered around their pen more after that for some time. After a month or so they got braver and would venture out, but it depended on how much time I spent out there working in the garden. Somehow my presence makes them feel safe. Just a few days ago a particularly savage cat belonging to our neighbor murdered one midday, and the two left will absolutely not leave their pen/enclosed pond now.
It is apparent that ducks get established in a routine and it takes awhile to redirect them to a new one. Mine have gotten used to being in the pen and pond now, but I want them to graze out in the garden more.
From the raccoon experience I learned that I have to lure them out and establish a new routine that they will come to accept eventually. For my ducks this means spending more time in the garden and feeding them their usual treats like comfrey and corn so that they start to feel safe outside the pen again. They were really spooked by the cat. I've also installed an ultrasonic device that is triggered by movement and is set to repel cats and raccoons; hoping this will protect them in the daytime more.
I think ducks are a lot smarter ( and even emotional) than we give them credit for. But they are very sweet and easily intimidated, and are truly "sitting ducks" in many ways.
I read in Alanna Moore's Backyard Poultry book that you can give animals homeopathic Rescue Remedy when they are traumatized, but have not used it yet on my ducks.

 

[Amiga]

We have members here who have used Rescue Remedy with their ducks. Sad for your losses.

 

[Onlyducks]

I had 4 ducks. I got 2-3 eggs per day. About 3 weeks ago a coon got in and killed one of my ducks. The next day another one was killed. the third day, we got the coon. Anyway the two remaining ducks would not go in their barn until just this last week and they are not laying eggs. Is it possible that they would stop due to being traumatized? If not, what should I do. My husband wants to take them to the "spa" but I do not. they also used to go around as a group in the yard and now they will not leave the pen. I know one of the ducks killed was the "leader" duck so, since I am new to ducks (know lots about horses, cats and dogs) I could use a little advice as to what to do. I plan to get more ducklings but do I need to get them for the other ones to go back to their "normal" egg laying and way of doing things. We really do enjoy watching them when they are in the yard and when I had all of them, I would go out at 5-5:30 to feed and as soon as they saw me they would head back to the barn for the night because they were locked in the barn and pen at night.

I have noticed with my ducks that any trauma can take quite a while to get over. My muscovies often will not come out of their pen in the daytime unless I'm outside. I'm guessing that they have been frightened by something during the night. This behaviour comes and goes. When the neighbor dogs killed all but one of my pekins, the remaining duck would only come out if I was outside. You could try getting them out of the pen and then shut the door and stay out there with them for a bit, so they aren't so freaked out. After a while, they should learn to come out again on their own. I don't know about the laying—mine were too young to lay.